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Quick Summary
Quick Answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are sabja seeds? | Seeds of sweet basil, also called basil seeds, tukmaria or falooda seeds |
| Main benefit | Very high in fibre, which helps fullness and regular digestion |
| How to use | Always soak: 1-2 teaspoons in a glass of water for 15 minutes |
| How much a day | 1-2 teaspoons soaked (up to 1 tablespoon for adults) |
| Calories | About 60 kcal per tablespoon (13g) dry |
| Do not | Eat them dry, or give them to small children without mixing well |
| Price at Chau Foods | ₹129 for 200g, ₹279 for 500g |
What Are Sabja Seeds?
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Sabja Seeds (Basil Seeds)
Raw basil seeds (tukmaria) for falooda, sherbet and lemonade. Soak before use.
✓ FSSAI certified · Free delivery ₹399+
Sabja seeds are the small black seeds of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). In India they are sold as sabja, tukmaria, tukh malanga or falooda seeds. Put them in water and within 10-15 minutes each seed is wrapped in a soft, clear gel, which is what you see floating in falooda and nimbu sherbet.
They are not the same as chia seeds. Sabja swells much faster, is fully black and round, and is almost always eaten soaked. Read our sabja vs chia seeds comparison if you are choosing between the two.
Sabja Seeds Nutrition
Basil seeds have no official USDA entry, so these are typical values printed on Indian and US packs:
| Per 1 tablespoon (13g, dry) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | about 60 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | about 7g |
| Dietary fibre | about 7g |
| Protein | about 2g |
| Fat | about 2.5g (mostly omega-3 ALA) |
| Calcium | about 15% of daily needs |
| Iron, magnesium | about 10% of daily needs each |
Most of the carbohydrate is fibre, which is why one spoon is filling.
Sabja Seeds Benefits
### Fibre for digestion
Soluble fibre turns into a gel that adds bulk and softness to stool. A glass of sabja water in the morning helps many people stay regular. Drink enough water through the day as well.
### Keeps you full
The gel takes up space in the stomach and slows digestion, so a sabja drink before a meal can help you eat a smaller portion.
### A cooling summer drink
Sabja in water, lemonade, coconut water or rose milk is a traditional summer cooler across India. The cooling effect is traditional rather than proven, but it is a much better drink than a sugary soft drink.
### Slower sugar rise
Fibre slows how fast sugar from a meal enters the blood. Sabja is not a diabetes treatment, but it fits well in a balanced diet.
### Small amounts of minerals
Calcium, magnesium and iron come along with the fibre, though you would need other foods to meet your daily needs.
How to Use Sabja Seeds
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Raw Chia Seeds
Raw chia seeds - 34g fibre, absorb 12x their weight, best for weight loss & gut health
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- 1Put 1-2 teaspoons of sabja in a glass of water (about 200 ml).
- 2Stir well so the seeds do not clump, and wait 15 minutes until each seed is swollen and soft.
- 3Add the soaked seeds to:
- Nimbu pani, shikanji or coconut water
- Falooda, rose milk or thandai
- Smoothies, lassi and milkshakes
- Overnight oats, yoghurt and fruit bowls
Soaked sabja keeps for a day in the fridge, so you can soak a small jar in the morning.
Sabja Seeds for Weight Loss
Sabja helps weight loss only in one way: it keeps you full, so you may eat less. A simple routine:
- 1 teaspoon sabja soaked in a glass of water with lemon, 15-20 minutes before lunch or dinner
- No sugar in the drink
- The rest of the day: normal home food, smaller portions, regular walking
Sabja does not burn fat by itself. For a fuller plan read seeds for weight loss.
How Much Sabja a Day?
- Adults: 1-2 teaspoons soaked, up to 1 tablespoon.
- Children over 5: half a teaspoon, well soaked and stirred into a drink.
- Start small. Too much fibre suddenly can cause gas and bloating.
Sabja Seeds Side Effects
- Choking: never eat sabja dry or half-soaked. Dry seeds swell in the throat. Be extra careful with small children and older people who have trouble swallowing.
- Bloating or loose stools if you take too much too fast.
- Pregnancy: there is very little research on basil seeds in pregnancy. Ask your doctor first.
- Blood sugar or blood-thinning medicines: ask your doctor, because high-fibre foods can change how much a meal raises sugar.
How to Store Sabja Seeds
Keep dry seeds in an airtight jar away from moisture. They stay good for 12 months or more. Keep soaked sabja in the fridge and use within a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are sabja seeds called in English?+
Can I eat sabja seeds daily?+
When is the best time to drink sabja water?+
Are sabja seeds and chia seeds the same?+
Are sabja seeds good in winter?+
Can sabja seeds be eaten without soaking?+
Shop: Sabja seeds (₹129 for 200g) | Magaj watermelon seeds (₹299 for 200g) | Mix seeds (₹279 for 200g). Free delivery on orders of ₹399 or more.
Editorial Note
How we publish Chau Foods blog guides
This article is published by the Chau Foods editorial team for general food education, ingredient guidance, and shopping support. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Reader Checklist
- Published on 28 October 2026
- Last reviewed and updated on 28 October 2026 by the Chau Foods editorial team.
- Use this guide for food education and buying decisions, not medical treatment.
- If you have allergies or a clinical diet plan, check with a qualified professional first.
About the Author
Chau Foods Editorial Team
This guide is written and fact-checked by the Chau Foods editorial team - a small group of FSSAI-certified food specialists based in Rohini, Delhi. Led by founder Mohit, the team combines direct farm-sourcing experience (California almonds, Bihar makhana from Darbhanga & Madhubani, Kashmir walnuts, Kerala spices) with hands-on quality control at the Chau Foods packing facility. We publish only what we would feed our own families, cite Indian nutrition data where relevant, and refresh every article when sourcing, pricing, or health guidelines change.
- Credentials
- FSSAI Lic. 13321008000704
- Based in
- Rohini, Delhi · since 2020
- Rating
- 4.9/5 · 27+ Google reviews
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